Dynamic stabilisation device for a submarine vehicle

ABSTRACT

A submarine vehicle able to control the navigation of a towed submerged object ( 3 ). The vehicle includes a body ( 5 ) equipped with stabilizing fins ( 7   a,    7   b,    7   c ), at least one of which ( 7   c ) is free to rotate and is ballasted, or linked to a ballast, for roll stabilization and/or orientation of the vehicle when it is in motion.

In particular, the invention concerns a roll stabilisation system for amoving submarine vehicle.

It is known that autonomous, remotely controlled or towed vehicles areused in submarine applications.

In the case of a static or slow-moving vehicle, the respective positionsof the centre of gravity, the centre of volume (the point of applicationof the buoyancy) and any axis of rotation (in the case of a towedvehicle for example) are often such that the vehicle positions itselfnaturally in the zero roll position when it is submerged, with thereturn torque thus created toward the vertical position generally beingsufficient to ensure the stability of the vehicle.

On the other hand, in the case of a vehicle that has a preferentialdirection of motion, hereinafter known as the “vehicle axis”, and whichis moving quite rapidly (from a few knots to over 10 knots) along thisaxis, the hydrodynamic effects on the vehicle can overcome the staticstabilisation forces described above, and thus cause the vehicle tobecome unstable.

Stabilisation solutions do exist, which consist, for example, ofequipping the vehicle with a list sensor, and of controlling theguidance/orientation means (actuators, control surfaces, fins, etc.) soas to actively control this roll.

These systems have the following drawbacks however:

The need to equip the vehicle with a power source (internal orexternal),

The need to equip the vehicle with a list sensor,

The need to fit motor-driven actuators on the vehicle,

The need to create a control loop,

The power consumed by the actuators, which are often electrical.

One objective of the invention is to provide a solution to some or allof these drawbacks.

Another aim is to propose the use of a ballast which can simultaneouslyserve as:

a list or roll sensor, in relation to a reference angular position, suchas the vertical, and which corresponds to a substantially zero roll,

and a mechanical roll-control source.

According to one aspect, this invention thus describes a process forunderwater navigation control of a moving submarine vehicle, in which:

at least one fin (in what follows, this can also be referred to as a“control surface”) is mounted to rotate freely around an axis that istransverse to a roll axis of the vehicle, along which it is made totravel substantially in the said direction, where the vehicle has areference angular position, in relation to its roll axis, correspondingto a substantially zero roll (meaning limited to a few degrees),

this fin is ballasted in front of or behind its axis of rotation, and/orthe torque of the buoyancy is used on this fin, by locating the majorityof its volume respectively behind or in front of the axis of rotation inrelation to the direction of travel, so that when the vehicle, andtherefore this fin, tilts around the roll axis, the torque created bythe ballast and/or the said buoyancy tends to pivot the fin around itsaxis of rotation, with the leading edge then naturally orienting itselfdownwards or upwards respectively, giving rise respectively to a divingor surfacing angle on the fin, which in turn generates a hydrodynamicforce tending to return this fin to the said reference angular positionof the vehicle corresponding to a reduced roll, while the vehicle ismoving.

According to yet another aspect of this process, it is proposed toemploy control means that functionally link the said free fin (and/orthe said control surface therefore) to a ballast which itself is free torotate around an axis parallel to the plane containing the roll axis andthe yaw axis, so that when the vehicle tilts around the roll axis, therelative angular movement between the ballast and the body of thevehicle generates an action on the control means which then pivot thefin around its axis of rotation. The direction of the coupling betweenthe movement of the ballast and that of the fin is then such that theangle that it adopts generates a torque that tends to return it to thesaid reference angular position of the vehicle, corresponding to areduced roll, with the vehicle in motion naturally.

One can thus envisage fitting a ballast so that it pivots around theroll axis, with its movement acting upon the said fin, or modifying theforce or even the orientation of the thrust of a propeller, so as toreturn the vehicle to near its zero roll.

This principle can be applied to the control of a fin (or several fins)mounted free to rotate on its axis, located below the vehicle, andballasted in front of its axis so that, when the vehicle tilts aroundits roll axis (the bottom fin rises), the torque created by this ballastpivots the fin around its axis, with the leading edge then naturallyorientating downwards, bringing about a dive attitude on the fin.

This effect can also be obtained by using the torque of the buoyancy onthe fin, with the volume being placed mainly behind the axis ofrotation.

The same result can also be obtained by placing the free fin in thevertical top position, and by placing the ballast and/or the volume tothe reverse of what has been described above.

Although it would appear natural to design the vehicle so that, whenstopped, the forces of gravity and buoyancy combine to hold it in thevertical position and stationary, the device does not exclude a vehiclewhich would find its vertical stationary position only in a dynamicmanner, meaning when the vehicle is moving forward, its position whenstopped then being uncertain.

The principle of the ballast-controlled fin can also be used to generateforces, with the free fin placed in the down position for example, andthe vehicle can be fitted with one or more other, motor-driven fins (orother actuators) intended to control the vehicle and placed in theopposite half space. In this case, it is possible to deliberatelyattempt to destabilise the vehicle by creating a roll torque. Under theeffect of this roll force, when the vehicle moves forward, the reactionof the bottom fin is to pivot until it creates a torque opposing thetorque of the actuators, and therefore a force along the lateral axis ofthe vehicle. The vehicle then stabilises in a position close to thevertical, with a slight list, and the fin supplies lateral force that iscapable of modifying the trajectory of the vehicle. Although notcontrolled, and free to rotate on its axis, the fin can thereforecontribute to the control of the vehicle.

According to such an aspect of the invention, and to generalise, theinvention therefore also concerns the creation of a submarine vehiclewhich, as known in its own right in US 2005-0268835-A1 for example(whose description is included by reference), includes a body in whichthe roll axis of the vehicle is located, and orientation means operatedby actuators in order to control the vehicle, but with the particularfeature here that the ballast will then be designed, mounted on thevehicle and located in relation to its fin and/or its associated controlsurface so that, with the vehicle moving forward along its axis ofmotion, controlled by the actuators, the ballast, under the effect of aroll force, pivots the fin (the control surface) until it creates atorque opposing the torque of the orientation means, and therefore aforce along an axis that is transverse to axis of movement of thevehicle.

This is particularly useful for the control of moving vehicles whosefuel consumption needs to be reduced, and where stability is to be maderobust.

As can be seen, a vehicle according to the invention, when submerged andin movement, can stabilise the position of one or more towed objects, towhich it is connected for this purpose, in a specific application.

Other characteristics and advantages of this present invention willemerge from the description that follows, relating to different methodsof implementation, one of which is a preferred method. In the associatedillustrations:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective, with cut-away, of a control deviceaccording to the invention, when the vehicle lists to starboard,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are two views in perspective of the fin control systemdriven by actuators,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are two views in perspective, with cut-away, of theactuator system,

FIG. 6 shows the rear of the vehicle in lateral traction to starboard,

FIG. 7 shows the free fin of FIG. 6, along its axis, from the centre ofthe vehicle,

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the possible tilt of the axis of rotation and leadingedge of the fin, and show, from the side, the line of application of thehydrodynamic forces, locating the hydrodynamic thrust centre,

FIG. 10 shows a solution with a single (free) fin,

FIG. 11 shows a solution with a hollow pivoting fin and with rearcontrol surface subject to the direct effect of a ballast,

FIG. 12, a fin solution with a rear control surface subject to thedirect effect of a ballast,

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the fin with the control surface of FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 shows a solution with a freely pivoting fin and rear aileron,and that is subject to the indirect effect of a ballast,

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a schematic view in section along plane XV-XV (fromthe rear), at zero list (FIG. 15) and with the vehicle tilted (FIG. 16),

and FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are three plan views of the fin with the controlsurface of FIG. 14, at zero list (FIG. 17) and with a list (FIGS. 18 andthen 19).

In FIG. 1, a submersible submarine vehicle 1 according to the inventionis used here to support and correctly position a towed submarine object,in particular a towed linear acoustic antenna 3.

The vehicle 1 had a hollow central body 5, and several fins arrangedaround it, here three in number 7 a, 7 b, 7 c.

The body 5 has a longitudinal axis 5 a, which is the roll axis of thevehicle.

This body includes a central fixed part 9 and a concentric outer shell11, between which there exists a possible relative rotation around theaxis 5 a, so that the fins are thus able to rotate around this axis withthe shell.

The fins, which lie along an axis (here radial) transverse to axis 5 a,are mounted individually to rotate around a pivot lying along theirrespective transverse axes of rotation 13 a, 13 b, 13 c.

To this end, each fin is fixed toward its root, at 17 c for fin 7 c herefor instance, to a pivot shaft (here shaft 15 c lying radially alongaxis 13 c, for fin 7 c).

For the explanation concerning the fins, let us consider fin 7 b (themounting of the other fins being broadly similar), where radial shaft 15b traverses the outer shell 11, inside which it is connected to atransverse foot 19 that is fitted with a nipple or lug 21 which slidesin the peripheral groove 23 of a ring 25 (FIGS. 1 to 3).

Offset along axis 5 a, in relation to the groove, the ring 25 istraversed by two diametrically opposing holes 29 in each of which afinger 31 is moving (FIGS. 2 and 3).

As also shown in FIG. 4 or 5, finger 31 is one element of a radialdevice with an eccentric offset 33, which is moved by a bellcrank 35driven by the output shaft 37 of an electric motor 39.

For fin 7 c, this control does not exist. It is therefore “free”.

Shaft 37 is driven by a geared motor which drives, in rotation, an axialscrew 41 on which the toothed wheel with radial axis 43 engages, thusforming the bellcrank 35 (FIG. 5).

The toothed wheel 43 is mounted on a radial shaft 45 which drives it inrotation.

The shaft 45 is equipped with an eccentric end offset, FIG. 3.

The mounting is identical for fin 7 a, using ring 49 (FIG. 4).

Two motors (see FIGS. 4, 5: 39, 39′) and two actuating devices 29, 29′,31, 31′, 37, 43, 39, 39′ . . . associated with the circular rings 25,49, drive fins 7 a and 7 b.

The rotating rings 25, 49, and therefore the fins 7 a, 7 b, are offsetcoaxially along axis 5 a.

Regarding the free fin 7 c, its radial shaft 15 c traverses the shell11, being held axially in the latter so that it rotates in relation toit, and if necessary with it, around the roll axis 5 a. In anothersolution, the axis is fixed to the shell, and the pivoting occurs withinthe fin.

The angular orientation of each fin in relation to this axis can thus beadapted, either freely under the action of the exterior and of theballast (fin 7 c), or controlled by the said motor-driven means (fins 7a, 7 b) here thus known as “actuators”. Other actuators (jacks) may alsobe provided.

The ballast 90 is mounted on the vehicle and located in relation to fin7 c, so that, with the vehicle moving forward along the roll axis 5 a, amovement of the fin in the roll direction will generate a torque tendingto pivot this fin around its axis 13 c, with its leading edge 70 corienting itself naturally to bring about an attack angle on the finwhich will return it to the said reference angular position of thevehicle, therefore corresponding to a reduced roll.

In the example of FIG. 1, and moving forward in the water, with nodeflection imposed on the fins 7 a, 7 b and no significant imposed roll,fin 7 c will be located in a substantially vertical down position, andthe two fins, 7 a and 7 b, will position themselves naturally in the upposition (above the body).

If it is then desired to exercise control over depth, control is appliedto the actuators of the two upper fins 7 a, 7 b which are pivoted aroundtheir axis of rotation so that the vehicle 1 will apply a resultingvertical force on the upstream and downstream sections 3 a, 3 b, forexample, of the towed object to which it can be connected (it isnaturally assumed that the assembly will advance).

For lateral control (horizontal plane), the same two upper fins 7 a, 7 bwill be controlled so that they pivot in the same direction.

Control of depth will preferably be a local control using a pressuresignal, as described in US-2005-0268835-A1.

For a connection to the sections of towed objects (mechanical orelectrical connection, signal stream, etc.), the central fixed part 9 ofthe body 5 is equipped with first and second connection ferrules 53, 55.

In FIGS. 1, 8 and 10, the free fin 7 c is located below the body, andthe ballast 90, 900, carried here by this fin, is located ahead of thepivot 13 c (see front end denoted AVT).

Thus, when the vehicle is subjected to a roll movement, the bottom fin 7c tends to rise and the mass of its ballast tends to make it dive. Thefin adopts a negative attack angle producing a force which drives itdownwards, thus reducing the roll.

In FIG. 6, the ballasted free fin 7 c is still shown at the bottom, andthe roll force to starboard is due to the thrust of the upper fins 7 b,7 c, which the bottom fin corrects only when the tilt is sufficient, asexplained below.

In FIG. 7, the ballast 90 causes the fin to dive when it is sufficientlyoffset from its reference angular position, corresponding to “zeroroll.”, thus straightening the vehicle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the hydrodynamic thrust centre (denotedCPD), indicated as 117, is preferably located behind the pivot axis 13 cfor this fin 7 c (see front AVT and rear ARR indications). Thus theoverall stability of the vehicle 1 is ensured in a natural manner.

At equilibrium, the hydrodynamic force is such that it produces a rolltorque in opposition to the torque created by the other fins, here 7 aand 7 b. This force also creates a rotation torque on the fin. For itspart, the weight is located in front of the axis 13 c and creates arotation torque on the fin about its axis, which, at equilibrium,opposes that of the hydrodynamic force.

FIG. 8 shows the line 111 of application of the hydrodynamic forces(thrust line) and also, located at 113, the static hydrodynamic thrustcentre (denoted CPS). The thrust centre is located on this straightline, at a position such that the surfaces at the root end and at thefree end of the fin are substantially equal. Equilibrium is attainedwhen the torque of the weight about the axis of the fin substantiallyequals that of the hydrodynamic force. The vehicle therefore tilts untilall of these forces are in balance.

The decision here to place the ballast at the base of the fin, close tothe body 5 (especially in FIGS. 1, 8, and 10) was guided by twoconsiderations in particular:

the need for a maximum moment arm for the ballast,

the need to favour a leading edge 70 c inclined to the rear in relationto the vertical (see angle A in FIGS. 8 and 9), in order to limit theadherence of algae or the hooking of lines.

In FIG. 8, the axis of rotation 13 c is assumed to be vertical or atleast perpendicular to the roll axis 5 a.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, this axis 13 c can preferably be inclinedtoward the rear so that, behind their point of intersection, the twoaxes 5 a, 13 c form an acute angle, β′, between them, or β in relationto the perpendicular to axis 5 a (see FIG. 9).

This tilt of the axis 13 c by a angle of other than 90° can allow theequilibrium angle of the fin at rest to be proportional to the list ofthe vehicle and/or the damping by dynamic effect to be even moreeffective.

Tilting the axis 13 c to the rear, and straightening the leading edge 70c of the fin, can favour damping of the oscillations when the vehiclegenerates lateral forces.

A leading edge 70 c that is less inclined in relation to the verticalthan is the axis of rotation of the fin (so that A<β, or A′>β′ if it isconsidered in relation to axis 5 a), should be favourable in thissituation.

Around 15 to 25 degrees of fin tilt, and fin axes inclined at between 15and 35 degrees, can be envisaged.

This degree of tilt of the axis of rotation of the free fin can lead toplacing the ballast at the end of the fin, closer to its free end 700 c,as in FIG. 9, in which the ballast is shown as 900 and is located justbehind its leading edge. Advantage is taken of the keel effect of theballast which produces a natural stabilising torque, the latter ensuringvertical stability of the vehicle even when stopped.

The free fin can be created with advantage in a composite materialincorporating a foam. Thus, in addition to the mass, which exerts adiving torque on the fin, the float effect of the foam produces the sameeffect through its buoyancy effect.

FIGS. 10 to 19 show other possible implementations, in particular inconnection with the fact that the foregoing is applicable to a solutionwith a control surface alone and/or to a fin fitted with a controlsurface.

Thus, in FIG. 10, the vehicle has only one fin 7 c 1 ballasted at thefront, at 90′ for example, and mounted free to rotate about its pivotaxis 13′c in relation to the central body 5′ of the vehicle roll axis5′a. It can include some or all of the foregoing considerations. Thebody 5′of the vehicle 10 can be of the single block type.

In FIG. 11, the ballast 910 is mounted on fin 7 c 2, which pivots freelyaround its axis of rotation 13 c 2, intersecting the roll axis 5 a,which can be that of the body of the vehicle concerned, not shown here.

On the fin, which can be hollow, the ballast 910 is mounted free torotate around an axis 910 a passing through the leading edge 911 andtrailing edge 913 of the fin.

Here, the ballast 910 is placed at the root of the fin, which has apivot shaft on axis 13 c 2. The ballast could be closer to the free endof the fin, or placed on the outside, beyond the end of the fin forexample.

At the rear ARR, the fin has control surface 915 which here is mountedto pivot around an axis 915 a parallel to axis 13 c 2, along thetrailing edge 913.

If fin 7 c 2 were fixed, mounted in a rigid manner on the body of thevehicle, the pivoting control surface 915 would advantageously be placedcloser to the free end 700 c.

The ballast 920 and the control surface 915 are functionally connectedtogether by a control element 917, such as a flexible cable or rod, sothat pivoting of the ballast around its axis 910 a, as a result of aroll force, acts on the control surface 915, or even on the fin if it isitself mounted to pivot, to return the vehicle to its reference angularroll position and/or to contribute to its orientation, when it is movingahead AVT substantially parallel to axis 5 a, to within an anglepossible of side-slip pres.

In FIG. 12, the ballast 920 has a direct effect on a control surface 921mounted to pivot on and in relation to a fin 7 c 3 mounted on a vehiclebody 50 with a roll axis 5 a.

Fin 7 c 3 can be mounted so that it is fixed onto the body 50.

It can also be mounted along axis 13 c 2, under the control of actuatingmeans, like the aforementioned fin actuators 7 a or 7 b. This willresult in a fin 7 c 3 that is motor-driven with a control surface oraileron 921 that in turn is controlled in the roll direction by theballast 920, which is functionally linked to this control surface bycontrol 923.

Control 923 can be any of the foregoing.

The ballast 920 is inside the body 50, and pivots freely through anangular sector, around axis 920 a, parallel to plane 925 containing axis5 a and yaw axis 5 c. This characteristic can be applied to the case inFIG. 11 or 14.

In FIG. 13, in which it is assumed that fin 7 c 3 is immobile, if a listto port occurs while the vehicle 100 is moving forward, a rotation ofthe aileron 921 occurs, under the effect of the ballast 920, creatinglift and resulting in limitation of the roll.

FIG. 14 and those that follow, show an indirect-effect solution in whicha list around the roll axis generates a rotation of the control surfaceleading to rotation, by variation of the attack angle, of the finbearing this control surface, and so to a reduction of the list.

In FIG. 14, the ballast 930 is placed in the body 51 of the vehicle 110.

The ballast 930, which could be outside the body 30 (as in the solutionof FIG. 12), pivots around an axis 930 a parallel to 5 a.

In the event of a roll, a control of the aforementioned type 931transmits the effect of the ballast to the rear control surface 933.This control surface pivots in relation to and behind fin 7 c 4, whichis free to rotate on and in relation to the body 51, around axis 13 c 2,which intersects roll axis 5 a and passes through its root and free-endedges.

The axis 933 a of the control surface 933 also intersects axis 5 a, butis not necessarily parallel to axis 13 c 2.

The pivoting shaft of the control surface along axis 933 a is carried byrods 935 a and 935 b, fixed to the fin and extending behind its trailingedge 937.

Here, fin 7 c 4 is assumed to be free to rotate around its axis 13 c 2,and is not even subject to the direct effect of any ballast.

In FIGS. 15 and 16, control 931 can include a cable or a flexible rod939 for example, sliding in a sheath 941 and connecting the controlsurface 933 in FIG. 14 on one side and the ballast 930 on the other, bymeans of a pivot or a swivel 943 which is therefore mounted to pivotaround its axis.

Let us assume, as illustrated in FIG. 15, that general equilibrium ofthe vehicle 110 is such that if it advances substantially along the rollaxis 5 a of FIG. 14, it will position itself naturally with the free fin7 c 4 vertical and pointing downwards, unaffected by any directionalforce exerted.

FIG. 16 shows what happens if the vehicle lists and if, as aconsequence, the axis 13 c 2 of fin 7 c 4 tilts in relation to thevertical. When the vehicle lists to port, the cable 939 is pulled.However it is pushed if the vehicle lists to starboard, with theaforementioned induced effects.

In FIG. 17, the vehicle advances to its position of FIG. 15. The cable939 and fin 7 c 4 are in a neutral position. In the absence ofside-slip, the fin and the rear control surface 933 can be orientedalong roll axis 5 a.

In FIG. 19, in the event of a list to port, the ballast drives thecontrol surface 933 in rotation, due to the force generated by the roll.This provokes a rotation of fin 7 c 4. The main generated force F thenstraightens the vehicle.

Finally, it is recalled that the orientation of the fins, whether fixedor pivoting 7 c, 7 c 1 . . . 7 c 4 will not necessarily be downwardswhen the vehicle concerned is moving forward, and their angular positionat rest can theoretically be anything, as can the number of fins and/orcontrol surfaces on the vehicle.

1. A process to control the underwater navigation of a submarine vehiclehaving a roll axis along which it is substantially travelling in adetermined direction, said vehicle occupying a reference angularposition in relation to said roll axis, corresponding to a substantiallyzero roll, comprising: providing said vehicle with at least one of a finand a control surface free to rotate around a transversal axis which istransverse to said roll axis, and, ballasting said at least one of thefin and the control surface with one of a ballast disposed in front ofsaid transversal axis and a ballast disposed behind said transversalaxis in relation to said determined direction of travel, so that whenthe vehicle tilts around the roll axis, the torque created by theballast tends to pivot said at least one of the fin and the controlsurface around said transversal axis, bringing about one of a diving anda surfacing attitude, which tends to return the vehicle toward itsreference angular position.
 2. A process to control the underwaternavigation of a submarine vehicle having a roll axis along which it issubstantially travelling in a determined direction, said vehicleoccupying a reference angular position in relation to said roll axis,corresponding to a substantially zero roll, comprising: providing saidvehicle with at least one of a fin and a control surface free to rotatearound a transversal axis which is transverse to said roll axis, said atleast one of the fin and the control surface having a determinedbuoyancy and first and second volumes respectively located, in relationto the direction of travel, behind and in front of said transversal axisof rotation, and, using a torque of said buoyancy, by having one of saidfirst and second volumes more voluminous than the other, so that whenthe vehicle tilts around the roll axis, the torque created by saidbuoyancy tends to pivot said at least one of the fin and the controlsurface around said transversal axis of rotation, bringing about one ofa diving and a surfacing attitude, which tends to return the vehicletoward its reference angular position.
 3. A process to control theunderwater navigation of a submarine vehicle comprising a body andhaving a yaw axis and a roll axis along which it is substantiallytravelling in a determined direction, said vehicle occupying a referenceangular position in relation to said roll axis, corresponding to asubstantially zero roll, comprising: providing said body with at leastone of a fin and a control surface mounted free to rotate around atransversal axis which is transverse to said roll axis, and, usingcontrol means for functionally linking said at least one of the fin andthe control surface to a ballast that is free to rotate around an axisparallel to the plane containing said roll axis and yaw axis, so thatwhen the body tilts around the roll axis, a relative angular movementbetween the ballast and said body of the vehicle generates an action onthe control means which causes said at least one of the fin and thecontrol surface to pivot around said transversal axis of rotation, sothat an attack angle thus adopted by said at least one of the fin andthe control surface generates a torque tending to return the body tosaid reference angular position.
 4. The process according to claim 1,comprising locating the ballast apart from said at least one of the finand the control surface.
 5. The process according to claim 1, comprisingrotatably mounting the ballast on the fin around an axis crossing aleading edge and a trailing edge of said at least one of the fin and thecontrol surface.
 6. The process according to claim 1, comprising:locating the ballast on the fin, rotatably mounting such a ballasted finon a body, so that the ballasted fin is free to pivot thereon aroundsaid transversal axis of rotation, rotatably mounting other fins on saidbody, each mounted to pivot thereon around an axis of rotationtransverse to said roll axis, under the action of driving meanscontrolled by actuator means, travelling the vehicle forwardly in water,while inducing a list by a roll rotation torque generated by said otherfins under the action of the actuator means, and, allowing saidballasted fin to pivot naturally around its transversal axis of rotationas a result of said list, up to stabilising in rolling said body and thevehicle.
 7. A submarine vehicle comprising: a body having a roll axis,and a reference angular position corresponding, in relation to said rollaxis, to a substantially zero roll, at least one fin mounted free topivot on the body, around a transversal axis that is transverse to theroll axis, said fin having a front leading edge, and, a fin drivingballast arranged on the vehicle for creating a torque, further to arolling tilt of the body, while the vehicle is travelling forwardly inwater along a travelling direction that coincides substantially with theroll axis, said torque driving the fin to pivot around its transversalaxis, with the leading edge then naturally orienting itself to bringabout an attack angle on the fin tending to return the body toward saidreference angular position.
 8. The vehicle according to claim 7, furthercomprising: additional fins, each mounted on said body to pivot thereonaround an axis of rotation transverse to said roll axis, and, actuatormeans connected to the additional fins, for actuating said additionalfins.
 9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein actuated by saidactuator means the additional fins can create said rolling tilt of thebody.
 10. A submarine vehicle comprising: a body having a roll axis, anda reference angular position corresponding, in relation to said rollaxis, to a substantially zero roll, a fin mounted free to pivot on thebody, around a transversal axis that is transverse to the roll axis,said fin having a front leading edge, a control surface rotatablymounted on said fin around a transversal axis that is transverse to theroll axis, said control surface having a front leading edge, and aballast arranged on the vehicle to drive at least one of the fin and thecontrol surface by creating a torque, further to a rolling tilt of thebody, while the vehicle is travelling forwardly in water along atravelling direction that coincides substantially with the roll axis,said torque created by the ballast driving at least one of the fin andthe control surface to pivot around the corresponding transversal axis,with the leading edge then naturally orienting itself to bring about anattack angle on said at least one of the fin and the control surfacetending to return the body toward said reference angular position. 11.The vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising: additional fins,each mounted on said body to pivot thereon around an axis of rotationtransverse to said roll axis, and, actuator means connected to theadditional fins, for actuating said additional fins.
 12. The vehicleaccording to claim 11, wherein actuated by said actuator means theadditional fins can create said rolling tilt of the body.
 13. Asubmarine vehicle comprising: a body having a roll axis, and a referenceangular position corresponding, in relation to said roll axis, to asubstantially zero roll, a fin fixedly mounted on the body, said finhaving a front leading edge, a control surface rotatably mounted on saidfin around a transversal axis that is transverse to the roll axis, saidcontrol surface having a front leading edge, and a control surfacedriving ballast arranged on the vehicle for creating a torque, furtherto a rolling tilt of the body, while the vehicle is travelling forwardlyin water along a travelling direction that coincides substantially withthe roll axis, said torque driving the control surface to pivot aroundthe transversal axis, with its leading edge then naturally orientingitself to bring about an attack angle on the control surface tending toreturn the body toward said reference angular position.
 14. The vehicleaccording to claim 13, further comprising: additional fins, each mountedon said body to pivot thereon around an axis of rotation transverse tosaid roll axis, and, actuator means connected to the additional fins,for actuating said additional fins.
 15. The vehicle according to claim14, wherein actuated by said actuator means the additional fins cancreate said rolling tilt of the body.
 16. The vehicle according to claim7, wherein the transversal pivot axis is inclined by an angle other than90° in relation to the roll axis and is inclined forward in thedirection of said roll axis.
 17. The vehicle according to claim 7,wherein: the ballast is disposed on the fin and offset in one of afrontward direction and a rearward direction in relation to thetransversal pivot axis of said fin, and, the leading edge of the fin ismore inclined in relation to the roll axis than is said transversalpivot axis of the fin.
 18. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein theballast is disposed on the fin and offset in one of a frontwarddirection and a rearward direction in relation to the transversal pivotaxis of said fin, and said fin incorporates a foam having floatingqualities which, via a buoyancy effect, amplify the action exerted uponit by the ballast.
 19. A submarine vehicle having a travelling directionoriented substantially along a roll axis and including: a body; and, atleast one of a fin mounted on said body and a control surface mounted ona fin mounted itself on said body, said at least one of the fin and thecontrol surface being mounted to freely pivot transversally to the rollaxis, wherein said at least one of the fin and the control surface iscaused to be pivoted by a ballast mounted on said vehicle.
 20. Thevehicle according to claim 19, wherein said vehicle is a towed submarineobject.
 21. The process according to claim 3, comprising locating theballast apart from said at least one of the fin and the control surface.22. The process according to claim 3, comprising rotatably mounting theballast on the fin around an axis crossing a leading edge and a trailingedge of said at least one of the fin and the control surface.
 23. Thevehicle according to claim 10, wherein the transversal pivot axis isinclined by an angle other than 90° in relation to the roll axis and isinclined forward in the direction of said roll axis.
 24. The vehicleaccording to claim 10, wherein: the ballast is disposed on the fin andoffset in one of a frontward direction and a rearward direction inrelation to the transversal pivot axis of said fin, and, the leadingedge of the fin is more inclined in relation to the roll axis than issaid transversal pivot axis of the fin.
 25. The vehicle according toclaim 10, wherein the ballast is disposed on the fin and offset in oneof a frontward direction and a rearward direction in relation to thetransversal pivot axis of said fin, and said fin incorporates a foamhaving floating qualities which, via a buoyancy effect, amplify theaction exerted upon it by the ballast.